Hi again,
Herewith, some snippets from various sources.
I appeal to you to send me items to distribute to our members for the Cleft Stick, the Game Ranger magazine and to be posted on the web site. These are your magazine and website, so ensure it gets the news that you would like to see in it.
Please let me have any changes to your physical address, phone no. or e-mail address to keep the database up to date.
Thanks to all of you who have made the effort. Please will any of you who know of members who do not get this “electric” Cleft~Stick, & have access to e-mail, pass their address along to me.
Don Yunnie
7 Chalet Drive, Hilton, 3245, South Africa Local Tel & Fax (033) 343 1534 Int. Tel & Fax (+2733) 343 1534 cell 082 377 7562 E-mail dyunnie@xsinet.co.za.
If you do not wish to receive this e-mail newsletter please send a blank e-mail to me at the above address with the word “unsubscribe C~S ” as the message heading.
Worldwide Wetland Restoration Could Reduce Bird Flu Threat
NAIROBI, Kenya, April 11, 2006 (ENS) -
The loss of wetlands around the world is forcing wild birds that may have avian influenza onto
alternative sites like farm ponds and paddy fields, where they come into contact with chickens, ducks,
and geese, finds a new report commissioned by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Restoring the tens of thousands of lost and degraded wetlands could help reduce the threat of an avian flu pandemic by providing wild birds with their preferred habitat, according to the report authored by Dr. David Rapport of Canada.
The report’s preliminary findings were announced today at a scientific seminar on avian influenza taking place at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi.
"Wetland depletion has direct implications for migrating wild birds," Dr. Rapport writes. "Wetland habitat world-wide continues to decline, owing to agricultural expansion and urban development, resulting in fewer staging areas for wild migrating birds." the remaining wet areas associated with rice paddies and farm ponds would be expected to be increasingly attractive to wild birds lacking enough natural habitat for staging, nesting and migration, he explains.
Current "heroic efforts" focusing on "isolation, quarantine, culls and medications" are likely to be quick fixes offering only limited short term benefits, finds Dr. Rapport, an honorary professor of the Ecoystem Health Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, and a member of the firm EcoHealth Consulting of Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.
His report recommends that governments, the United Nations and public health experts back environmental measures over the medium and longer term to counter the spread of diseases like the highly pathogenic strain of bird flu, H5N1.
This strain has killed or caused the culling of 200 million poultry birds in the current outbreak that began in December 2003.
The H5N1 virus has been confirmed in 45 countries on three continents - Asia, Europe and Africa. To date, the virus has killed 108 people, all in Asia. Most died! after handling diseased poultry. Health experts fear that the H5N1 strain could mutate into a form of the virus that spreads easily from human to human, triggering a global avian flu pandemic that might cause the deaths of millions of people.
Close contact of wild birds and poultry species is believed to be a major cause behind the spread of bird flu. Clearing intensive poultry rearing units from the flyways of migratory birds would be prudent, Rapport suggests.
"Intensive poultry operations along migratory wild bird routes are incompatible with protecting the health of ecosystems that birds depend upon. They also increase the risks of transfer of pathogens between migrating birds and domestic fowl," he writes.
He also suggests reducing contact between wild birds and poultry by shifting livestock production away from humans and other mammals such as pigs.
The report acknowleges that in some parts of the world, such as Southeast Asia, separating poultry from people is at odds with generations of cultural traditions and practices.
"As unpalatable as this may be, where it is clearly in the interest of preventing future pandemics with potentially catastrophic global effects, it can and should be undertaken," Rapport says.
Shafqat Kakakhel, UNEP deputy executive director, said, "These thought provoking findings will need to be looked at in detail by all those involved in fighting current and future threatened pandemics. However, what this research underlines is that the link between a healthy environment and disease prevention is no marginal topic, but an important component in public health policy, particularly in a globalized world." He said, "There are numerous pressing reasons for conserving and restoring degraded ecosystems like wetlands."
Wetlands are natural water storage features that filter pollution, help absorb floods, and are inhabited by numerous species including fish. "Their ability to disperse and keep wild birds away from domestic ones is now yet another compelling argument for conserving and rehabilitating them," said Kakakhel.
During their biannual meeting that ended March 31 in Brazil, the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) concluded that a far wider range of species than birds may be affected by bird flu. Large cats like leopards and tigers, small cats such as civets, and other mammals like martens, weasels, badgers, and otters might also be at risk.
The CBD delegates concluded that over 80 percent of known bird species, both migratory and nonmigratory, may also be at risk, with members of the crow and vultures families of particular concern.
Culling of poultry, especially in developing countries where chicken is a key source of protein, may lead to local people killing wild animals for food, the CBD delegates warned. This may put new pressure on endangered species such as chimpanzees, gorillas and other great apes.
The CBD delegates also expressed concern over the development of a genetic monoculture of domestic poultry, claiming that this may make domestic fowl less disease resistant.
The two day avian flu seminar, organized by UNEP, the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), and the African Eurasian Water Bird Agreement builds on the work of the international Scientific task Force on avian influenza established by CMS last August, which now includes experts from 13 UNagencies, treaty organizations and nongovernmental organizations.
It was preceded on Sunday by the first World Migratory Bird Day where the main celebrations were organized by internationally renowned author Kuki Gallmann and the Great Rift Valley Trust at the Laikipia Conservancy in Kenya.
To mark World Migratory Bird Day, CBD Executive Secretary Dr. Ahmed Djoghlaf said, "Threats to migratory birds reflect threats to biodiversity at large. Indeed, the main threat to migratory birds, habitat loss, is also one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss."
Mentioning high-voltage power lines, habitat fragmentation, and over hunting, Dr. Djoghlaf stressed that migratory birds now face the unprecedented additional threat of avian influenza.
"Often seen as the vectors of the virus, migratory birds are first and foremost its victims. Some responses to this, such as culling birds or draining wetlands, have been ill advised," he said. "Better responses, involving the protection of the well-being and diversity of ecosystems, species and genetic resources, can mitigate against the spread of such diseases."
The draft report, "Avian Influenza and the Environment: An Ecohealth Perspective" has been submitted to UNEP by Dr. David Rapport, EcoHealth Consulting, with contributions from John Howard, Luisa Maffi and Bruce Mitchell. A final version is to be published soon on www.unep.org.
EARTH CHANGE - WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR PLANET? - By Carlos Tavares
We are seeing some major increases in extreme weather and also change in the geophysics of our planet. Every year records are being broken at a staggering rate. We see for example the last year’s Atlantic Hurricane season breaking all previous records not only for the most hurricanes ever in one season but the storms themselves being of greater intensity. Hurricane Wilma had the highest low pressure ever measured inside the storm itself. 2005 and now in 2006 we see record snow falls in many countries and cities not just in Europe but also in North America and Asia. The Amazon basin with the largest rain forest in the world experienced one of its worst droughts ever last year (one of the least reported facts in global media). The North Atlantic Conveyer Belt current continues to slow down at an alarming rate, due mostly to the melting ice from Greenland and the Arctic region. This seems to be causing extremes in both summer and winter in Europe and North America and may even have the potential to cause a mini Northern Hemisphere ice age. (This is the ocean current that takes warm water from the tropics to the North in the Atlantic Ocean. It helps maintain the climate, in many Northern Hemisphere countries in America and Europe, temperate. These areas would have move severe weather, bearing in mind that they are at the same latitude as Siberia in Russia and Greenland, if it were not for this current. Fresh water coming from the melting ice, due to global warming, from large glaciers and the Arctic dilutes the salinity of the sea current. This slows down the processes that allow this current to work and could even stop it all together as has happened in the past). Many European countries have recently experienced major flooding as well as not only record low winter temperatures, but also record high temperatures for recent summers. We see the extremes on both ends. With high temperatures, so too have we seen an increase in fire hazards which have produced some severe runaway fires, especially in Portugal and Australia last year. Australia not only measured some of its highest temperatures recently, but also has just experienced major flooding and damage due to a category five hurricane. Last year, parts of India experienced record rainfalls and flooding followed by a dry and late monsoon season. Firstly it was the Seychelles, but now the Caribbean and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef are experiencing major coral die-off and bleaching due to increased sea temperatures. 2005 is officially the hottest year on record globally.
In Africa we have just had major droughts, most notably and recently in Kenya. On the other hand, 2006 has also been an abundant rainfall year causing flooding in several parts of South Africa. The other main concern for us is that the Great Rift Valley Fault Line is becoming much more active with two major earthquakes in the last few months. Most will remember the recent 7.5 earthquake that hit central Mozambique, luckily a sparsely populated area - the second largest earthquake in Africa for the last 100 years. (This fault line runs from central Mozambique through Tanzania and Kenya to the Red Sea. It is what caused the Great Lakes of Africa and many Volcanoes, most well known being Kilimanjaro. This is an expanding fault, meaning it is pushing apart the plates. This area of East Africa will eventually become another island like Madagascar. Scientist originally believed that this would still take millions of years to happen, but there is more and more evidence that it could happen very quickly.Check out this link of a recent event http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,405947,00.html) Although records of the ancient continents of Lemuria and Atlantis are mostly buried within mythology and so called fairy tales, we must at least consider that these large land masses sunk within a very short time, only a few years. This opens up the possibility that other areas or plates could rise from the sea floor and create new dry land.
Tectonic plate movement is a major concern around the world. An increase in this has produced the 2004 tsunami and last year’s Pakistan earthquake. The Ring of Fire in the Pacific is one of the hot spots for plate movement and there are many concerns of the potential for major loss of human life and damage that can occur from that region - not only earthquake and tsunami activity, but also volcanic eruptions.
The list goes on and on and to do a full report on all that has happened for just the last two years alone would take many pages. Very little is reported through the global media on many of these events. Normally it is only in the local media. There is never a world view or bigger picture. The global media corporations only report on what is already censored and true honest unbiased journalism practically does not exist anymore. There is always more and more of a “World Order” agenda at play. Our present Earth Change is the greatest and most important event on this planet that will and is already affecting everyone. Much more media and scientific coverage is required if we are to save as many people as possible.
A lot of the Governments are aware of what is happening and purposely edit information and the distribution thereof, to protect economies and prevent panic, but economics and the value of the Dollar or the Euro are not what is going to save lives. This is bigger than most people realise and it is only through information, knowledge and preparation that many people can be saved. Most people are oblivious to what is happening. Some know but are in denial, even with all the proof staring them right in the face. It does not take much research to see what is happening. We still have the Internet and with just an hour or two researching, anyone can begin to find “evidence”. We are also starting to see more and more freak storms and phenomena in areas in which they have not occurred before. An example is the freak tornado that has just hit Tel Aviv, Israel (4th April 2006). A sight not normally seen in the Holy Land.
Super Volcanoes
Super Volcanoes are the largest and potentially most destructive volcanoes on the planet. They are not your typical cone shaped volcanoes that we see everywhere. These volcanoes are large calderas, which lie beneath the surface. They have the potential to be thousands of times stronger and more destructive than volcanoes like Mt. Saint Helens or even Pinatuba. An eruption of one of these volcanoes can and will affect the entire planet. Not just in the immediate area affected but the entire planet. Enormous amounts of ash fallout will affect everyone and could cover the entire planet causing a “nuclear” winter. Not only clogging and polluting fresh water but also blocking out much of our life giving sunlight that sustains our food production. The ash fallout in itself is harmful and can lead to death by inhalation. The two main concerns are the super volcanoes in Asia and at Yellow Stone National Park. (Yellow Stone National Park is in the north west of USA. This is one of the largest national parks in the world. The super volcano that lies beneath Yellowstone is about eighty by forty kilometres in size. “Super Volcano” the documentary by the BBC is highly recommended for further details)
The Four Elements
Our planet is changing mostly through the four elements of wind, water, earth and fire. Wind through tornadoes and hurricanes. Water through floods, tsunamis and storms. Earth through earthquakes and fire through volcanoes. Some of the Mayan elders have warned that these will continue to intensify as we approach 2012 and that the fire element will become more active. We can already see this with increased volcanic activity worldwide. Of particular concern is the increase in activity at Yellowstone National Park (some of the park has been closed to visitors). 2012 was the year given to the ancient Mayan people as an estimated time when the planet would go into a higher frequency. A new age. A new consciousness. Some people think that will be when things start to happen, but from what is happening right now it would seem that we are at the start and going into the middle of the change. So by that date everything would have already happened. That date was an estimate and a lot is up to us. What we do and focus on now will affect the intensity of the things to come. We have the power to change our timelines with collective thought alone.
Polar Shift
Scientists have discovered that our magnetic poles shift or do 180 degree turn (Magnetic North changes to the South and visa versa), on average about every 200 000 years. The last shift occurred 780 000 years ago, according to magnetic particle alignment in ancient lava flows that have captured the position of the magnetic poles at the time of solidifying. Over the last few years they have noticed a dramatic reduction in the strength of our magnetic field. The first major anomaly (area of very weak or already reversed polarity) was off of South America and more recently another just off of South Africa in the Indian Ocean. So we are on the verge of a complete “Flip”. This is a very vulnerable time for us as our Magnetic Field is what protects us from solar radiation. We ourselves have our own fields of energy that surround our own bodies. These fields affect our moods, feelings and wellbeing. The planet’s magnetic field change affects every life form on it through these fields. We need to change with the planet in order to prosper and ensure our survival by allowing these changes within our bodies. The best is simply giving yourself time to rest when you are feeling something is changing and is not right. This will allow your body time to recalibrate or so to say, catch up with the planets changing fields. Our planet too is a living entity and it too is evolving through this Great Earth Change. These are the great cycles of nature. Planet Earth is moving to a higher spiritual frequency, and we need to evolve and change with her if we are to survive into the future. (See NOVA’s documentary “Magnetic Storms” for further details)
What do we do?
We obviously cannot rely on our governments to inform and protect us. We all saw what happened with New Orleans. It only took 5 days, from normal everyday living to total chaos, looting, murders, lack of food and drinking water. That should be a lesson for all, five days!
We need to be prepared at all times, no matter where you are on the planet. You need to be sovereign. You must be able to look after yourself and your family. Always have enough food and water in your home at all times for at least two months. Even better have enough stored away to last you two years because if we have a super volcanic eruption causing a nuclear winter, it could easily last for two years.
You have two choices: Live in fear and denial or simply be prepared for anything. You have got nothing to lose by being prepared.
We need to educate ourselves on these matters. Through knowledge and the application of that knowledge we can overcome anything. We too can evolve and change with the planet and live to see a fabulous, fabulous future.
(I welcome any comments and information phenomena@mweb.co.za I also highly recommend www.earthchangestv.com as one of the most up to date sources of what is happening globally and a starting point if you wish to do some of your own research).
Sutcliffe says no to "crazy" N2 toll road by TONY CARNIE
THE ETHEKWINI Metro Council and the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry have re-iterated their opposition to a new toll plaza being built at Isipingo as part of the proposed N2 Wild Coast toll highway.
Speaking at a toll road briefing session in Durban, chamber chief Executive Bonke Dumisa said he met city manager Mike Sutcliffe early yesterday and he had re-iterated the city's opposition.
"For now, I think we (the chamber) stand there as well," said Dumisa.
Sutcliffe told The Mercury last night that the city remained firmly Opposed to the Isipingo toll plan. "Our views have not changed. From an economic point of view (this plan) is just crazy. The economy is just starting to pick up and would be hit quite badly if this thing went ahead," he said, referring to the extra transport costs for large manufacturers in the South Durban industrial area.
Sutcliffe also noted that building new infrastructure for the 2010 Soccer World Cup would create major costs for Durban and other cities. "I think they should shelve this whole thing until after 2010."
Speaking in his personal capacity, Dumisa told environmental consultants acting for the SA National Roads Agency (SANRAL) yesterday that he was worried that a toll plaza at Isipingo would be "disastrous", especially for regular commuters and mini-bus passengers. "We don't want to end up in a position where business as seen as 'negative', but the position really needs to be looked at." Dumisa said he was not convinced either that representatives of poor and rural communities south of Durban had been consulted properly by SANRAL or given adequate opportunity to voice their concerns.
Rod Draper, the chamber's past president and member of the management board, raised numerous concerns about the lack of information on the proposed toll fees, and said the roads agency might be able to defuse many of the concerns if it made hard facts available.
Without such information, Durban residents would continue to believe that they were being asked to subsidise the cost of a new road in the Eastern Cape.
Responding, SANRAL regional manager Neil Tolmie suggested the public might only be consulted on toll fees and possible discounts once the road was built or approved.
However, Tolmie said his "gut feeling" was the toll fee for ordinary cars passing through the Isipingo plaza would be around R5 per journey and that the overall toll fee for the 560 km route between Durban and East London would be in the region of R180.
This estimate was based on the 2006 national average toll tariff of 28 cents per km. However, Tolmie said that because the total cost of the project could reach R4 billion, he could not offer any guarantees whatsoever that the winning private-sector toll consortium would agree to a R5 tariff.
Senior SANRAL official Ron Harmse confirmed that a toll plaza at Isipingo would become the busiest plaza in the country, with an average traffic volume of 55 000 vehicles a day.
Responding to concerns about increased traffic congestion around such a major plaza, Harmse said Isipingo might be able to handle about 9 000 vehicles an hour, especially if it was equipped with automated electronic equipment for pre-payment.
Dr Malcolm Mitchell, formerly a senior official in the national Department of Transport, suggested that SANRAL should make fresh enquiries with the national government as there was a possibility that it could be financed via surplus state revenue rather than by tolling.
Bryan Havemann, conservation chief of the Wildlife and Environment Society, said he hoped that SANRAL would consider a slightly-longer alternative route further inland from the Wild Coast.
Lauren Graham of the environmental consultancy Nomi Muthialu and Associates said her company was prepared to consider alternative proposals.
However, according to a draft scoping report published last week, SANRAL has already rejected a similar alternative route, mainly on the basis that it would push up the construction costs by about R500 000.
Registration information: SAWMA Symposium 2006
Dear Members
Please find attached registration information as well as registration forms for the SAWMA symposium, “The role of Wildlife Management in Biodiversity Conservation” at Forever Resorts Aventura Loskopdam, Mpumalanga, South Africa from 17-19 September 2006.
We are looking forward to seeing you there. You are now welcome to submit your paper and poster titles.
Important Deadlines:
Submissions of paper/poster titles: 31 May 2006
Submissions of paper abstracts: 15 July 2006(preferably before)
Booking of accommodation at Forever Resorts Aventura Loskopdam: 31 July 2006
Early Registration Payment: 15 August 2006
Final submission of registration forms: 15 August 2006
Best regards
Elma Marais
S.A.W.M.A. (Southern African Wildlife Management Association)
N.B.V.S.A. (Natuurbestuursvereniging van Suidelike Afrika)
Secretariat, P.O. Box. 217, Bloubergstrand, 7436
Tel: +27-21-5541297, Fax: 0866729882, http://journals.sabinet.co.za/wild/.
The Transboundary Protected Areas Research Initiative,
http://www.wits.ac.za/Science/GeoSciences/Tpari/
in collaboration with IUCN South Africa take pleasure in inviting you to a
Teleconference presentation
by Clapperton Mavhunga & Dr Wolfram Dressler
“Africa's crisis of knowledge related to poverty and the environment"
Abstract
The format of the presentation is as follows:
Date and Times
Date: Wednesday 3 May 2006
Times:
Southern Africa: 15h00
United States East Coast: 09h00 (EST)
Brisbane, Australia: 23h00
Mainland Western Europe: 15h00
South African locations:
You will be able to attend the seminar at specified telenodes: University of the Witwatersrand’s teleseminar centre (SH1103), University of Stellenbosch, Wits Rural Facility, Skukuza in KNP, CEAD (KZN) and IUCN. Please RSVP Rael Loon soon to find out about participation at these locations (raelm@icon.co.za) tel: +27 (0) 84 811 4314
European and US-based participants need to read the section immediately below.
Dial-in instructions for North American participants: Participants in Pittsburgh can attend the seminar at the EPP’s teleseminar room at Carnegie Mellon University. Please contact Barbara Bugosh to arrange attendance at this location (bbugosh@andrew.cmu.edu).
Participants based elsewhere in the US & Canada can dial into the conference by dialling:
Domestic: 1-888-887-0127
International: 001-310-464-5915
One has to enter then enter a passcode when prompted: 312582
Dial-in instructions for European and United Kingdom participants: Participants in the UK and Europe can dial into +31-20-5986705 (at local rates), from where they will then be connected to the SA telecentre by Bram Buscher (be.buscher@fsw.vu.nl).
Technical:
All that is required is a telephone line, preferably with a proper speaker phone, and no background noise. Ideally you should be able to switch off the microphone during the presentation so as to reduce unnecessary noise on the line. You also need a computer screen and have to download the overheads needed for the presentation from our website http://www.wits.ac.za/Science/GeoSciences/Tpari/ ahead of time. The overheads will be made available two days ahead of the seminar.
Participants outside of South Africa should please RSVP either to Barbara Bugosh (participants from the USA) (bbugosh@andrew.cmu.edu) or to Bram Buscher (participants in Europe) (be.buscher@fsw.vu.nl). Also, please direct any technical questions about dialling in to Barbara or Bram.
Regards,
Rael Loon
Transboundary Protected Areas Research Initiative
Cell: +27 (84) 811 4314
E-Mail: raelm@icon.co.za
TPARI is a interdisciplinary network of researchers and institutions. It runs under the auspices of the IUCN South Africa and is supported by the Centre for Integrated Study of the Human Dimensions of Global Change at Carnegie Mellon University by way of a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation (SBR-9521914). The Initiative focuses on transboundary protected areas as coupled human-environment systems that operate across scales and boundaries
POSITION(s) AVAILABLE
Field guide required
We are a 4 star game lodge in Northern KwaZulu Natal with the following position available. If you know of anybody suitable for this position (maybe one of your members?) please can you put them in contact with us.
Senior Field Guide
Requirements:
Regards
Johann Marais
Leopard Mountain Game Lodge
--- Chief Warden Vacancy Cousin island_Seychelles
Dear Colleagues,
The award winning Cousin island Special Reserve in the Seychelles is looking to fill the post of Chief Warden ASAP. Requirements are: proven skills in small boat handling, team management, visitor handling/awareness and conservation. Salary is USD 1,500.00/month tax free, plus international flights (1 /year), housing, work related transport and expenses, and uniform. Please mail responses to nature@seychelles.net
for more information on the organisation: www.natureseychelles.org
Many thanks
Nirmal Jivan Shah
Chief Executive,
Nature Seychelles
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post Title: Chief Warden-Cousin island Special Reserve
Supervisor: Island Coordinator
Salary and allowances: SR. USD1,500.00 on a 2 year contract. Housing, work related transport and international flights (1 /year) provided.
Job Description: Implement the Cousin Island Special Reserve Management Plan and the annual work programs. This will include the following:
Manage boat operation and other equipment in a safe and professional reasonable manner keeping high standards in place at all times
Ensure that the Special Reserve is protected and take
appropriate action against law breakers.
Supervise all Special Reserve staff and ensure good staff relations and community sprit on the island
Coordinate and provide guiding of visitors in a professional and informed manner.
Conduct and coordinate monitoring as directed and when necessary.
Conduct maintenance and cleaning of the Special Reserve.
Ensure that all infrastructure and equipment on the island is available and properly maintained within the time schedules.
Ensure proper inventory, financial and other
administrative tasks.
Ensure that staff are properly trained to conduct their work.
Provide all assistance necessary to Nature Seychelles staff, and consultants.
Provide assistance to EXP wardens and ensure that they are integrated into the Reserve work and community life.
Provide assistance to scientists and students.
Any other relevant work as directed.
Area of work: The post holder will have to live and work on Cousin Island. May be needed on another site if necessary.
Necessary qualifications: Relevant diploma or degree. 5 years in a similar position. Excellent small boat handling skills and high degree of physical fitness
Other skills: Administrative and management skills
Good inter-personal and communication skills
Experience in conservation
Computer literacy
Report writing
Education and awareness
Skills in any of the following are also desirable: mechanics, carpentry,
first aid and diving.
---
Chief Executive of the World Conservation Union
Message from IUCN President Valli Moosa
Dear members of IUCN, Commission members, donors and partners, staff and friends
As many of you are aware already, Achim Steiner will be stepping down as Director General on 31 May in order to take up his appointment as Executive Director of UNEP with effect 15 June 2006. The IUCN Council has the responsibility to conduct the search for and recruit the best qualified person to succeed Achim Steiner. A Search Committee has been constituted for this purpose and a process launched to fill this key position of Chief Executive of the World Conservation Union.
The attached advertisement has been placed in several major publications and it is now being widely distributed through electronic networks and on websites.
I invite IUCN members, Commission members, donors and partners, staff and friends to assist the Council in reaching out to potential and qualified candidates who may be interested in this position. For more information, please visit www.iucn.org/dgsearch.
Valli Moosa
PROGRAMME MANAGER POLICY AND ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE UNIT The World Conservation Union (IUCN) is seeking a suitably qualified person to fill the role of Programme Manager for the Policy and Environmental Governance Unit located in its South Africa office. The position appeals to someone with 5 years experience in the non-profit sector who seeks a challenging opportunity to reinvigorate the work of the Policy and Environmental Governance Unit and thus enhance the policy impact of IUCN’s work in South Africa and Southern Africa. The primary role of the incumbent will be to provide leadership in the policy and environmental governance aspects of IUCN’s programme in South Africa, as well as IUCN’s Regional Programme in Southern Africa. Title: Programme Manager (Policy and Environmental Governance Unit) Location: IUCN South Africa Country Office, Pretoria Length of contract: 2 years, renewable based on availability of funds Duties: • Develop, manage and coordinate projects and activities within Policy and Environmental Governance Unit in line with IUCN’s national and regional programme priorities o Develop activities and fundraise for priorities within the Unit o Undertake policy related work, including research, drafting policy input, making presentations, etc. o Extract policy findings from projects/programmes underway within IUCN o Support policy engagement with members and partners of IUCN-SA, and the region at large. o Develop policy papers on issues related to the activities of the Unit or projects being implemented by IUCN-SA o Generate a profile for IUCN-SA’s, as well IUCN Regional flagship policy initiatives using media and communications tools o Maintain and develop strategic partnerships that support the work of the Unit o Recruit and supervise researchers in the Unit, including interns, students, etc o Report to and liaise with donors • Support programme development within IUCN-SA o Contribute to the work of the Programme Development Group o Write proposals and undertake fundraising activities Requirements: • A recognised post-graduate or equivalent qualification, preferably with a legal background • Five (5) years experience in policy related work • Broad knowledge and understanding of environmental issues • Understanding of national, regional and international policy processes • Excellent skills in policy research, writing and communications 1 Reference: PEGU/0306
2
• Experience in fundraising, project coordination and management • Ability to work with stakeholders from different sectors including the public sector, NGOs, donors, international agencies and the private sector • Networks and contacts in the environmental policy sector • Excellent interpersonal skills, strong verbal and written communication skills, proven management, administration and team work abilities • Self motivated and results driven individual, excellent time management, ability to prioritise and work on a range of different tasks simultaneously and to perform in a pressurised deadline-based environment • Ability to adhere and implement organisational policies and procedures • Computer literacy • Drivers licence and own transport Important notes: • Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, with reference number PEGU/0306, that addresses their competencies in the fields required and a resume with 2 references to: Ditse Motlana, fax: +27 (0)86 624 7668, e-mail: ditse.motlana@iucn.org Postal Address: IUCN-SA, P.O. Box 11536, Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa Physical Address: 3rd floor, Hatfield Forum West, Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa • For further information please contact Anthea Stephens, Acting Country Programme Coordinator (anthea.stephens@iucn.org) • Closing date: 28 April 2006 • Selection will be guided by employment equity principles. IUCN South Africa reserves the right not to make an appointment. If you do not hear from us within one month of the closing date your application has been unsuccessful. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
--- PROGRAMME OFFICER IUCN ROSA REGIONAL PROGRAMME The World Conservation Union (IUCN) is seeking a suitably qualified person to fill the role of Project Officer – IUCN ROSA Regional Programme. The Programme Officer will directly report to the Regional Programme Coordinator. He/she will be required to assist in the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of IUCN ROSA’s Regional Programme in accordance with the IUCN mission. The duties of the officer will include: Title: Programme Officer – IUCN ROSA Regional Programme Location: IUCN South Africa Country Office, Pretoria Length of contract: One year, renewable based on funding availability. Duties: • Support the planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the IUCN ROSA Regional Programme activities. • Assist the Regional Programme Coordinator in compiling work plans, progress reports and budgets for the regional programme. • Assist in monitoring the implementation of the IUCN ROSA quadrennial and annual work plans, and provide back up support as necessary. • Provide monitoring and evaluation support to the thematic and country programmes. • Assist the Regional Programme Coordinator in the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the IUCN ROSA annual and quarterly work plans and budget. • Receive work plans and progress reports from the IUCN ROSA sub-cost centers and carry out the initial compilation of annual and quarterly work plans and progress reports. • Keep track of the IUCN HQ reporting requirements and ensure that these requirements are met. • In liaison with the Thematic and Country Programme Coordinators, provide monitoring and evaluation support to projects. • In liaison with the Regional Programme Coordinator and Finance Department, monitor the IUCN ROSA contractual obligations on projects with regards to technical tracking and reporting to donors. • Assist in the documentation of lessons from the implementation of the regional programme. • Administer the Programme Development Committee activities. • Provide technical support to PDC and ORD in developing new project concepts. • Participate and contribute to project monitoring and evaluation activities. • Provide any other assistance as may be assigned by the Regional Director and Regional Programme Coordinator. Requirements: • A degree in environmental science, natural resource management, or another relevant discipline • Expertise in developing and using the logical framework/performance measurement frameworks, monitoring and evaluation • Ability to work at a regional level with government agencies, research institutions and NGO’s, as well as working within teams Reference: PROG/0306 • Excellent writing and communication skills Important notes: • Applications should be submitted a cover letter, with reference number PROG/0306, and CV with 2 references to: Ditse Motlana, fax: +27 (0)86 624 7668 or email: ditse.motlana@iucn.org Postal Address: IUCN SA, P. O. Box 11536, Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa Physical Address: 3rd Floor, Hatfield Forum West, Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa • For further information please contact Tabeth Chiuta, Regional Programme Coordinator (tabeth.chiuta@iucn.org) • Closing date: 28 April 2006 • Selection will be guided by employment equity principles. IUCN reserves the right not to make an appointment. If you don not hear from us within one month of the closing date your application has been unsuccessful. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Tailpiece-
Pipe Specifications
1. All pipe is to be made of a long hole, surrounded by metal or plastic centred around the hole.
2. All pipe is to be hollow throughout the entire length - do not use holes of different length than the pipe.
3. The I.D. (inside diameter) of all pipe must not exceed the O.D.(outside diameter) - otherwise the hole will be on the outside.
4. All pipe is to be supplied with nothing in the hole so that water, steam or other stuff can be put inside at a later date.
5. All pipe should be supplied without rust - this can be more readily applied at the job site.
N.B. Some Vendors are now able to supply pre-rusted pipe. If available in your area, this product is recommended as it will save a lot of time on site.
6. All pipe over 500 ft (153m) in length should have the words "long pipe" clearly painted on each end, so the Contractor will know it is a long pipe.
7. Pipe over 2 miles (3.2 km) in length must have the words "very long pipe" painted in the middle, so the Contractor will not have to walk the entire length of the pipe to determine whether or not it is a long pipe or a very long pipe.
8. All pipe over 6" (152 mm) in diameter must have the words "large pipe" painted on it, so the Contractor will not mistake it for small pipe.
9. Flanges must be used on all pipe. Flanges must have holes for bolts quite separate from the big hole in the middle.
10. When ordering 90 degrees, 45 degrees or 30 degrees elbow, be sure to specify right hand or left hand; otherwise you will end up going the wrong way.
11. Be sure to specify to your vendor whether you want level, uphill or downhill pipe. If you use downhill pipe for going uphill, the water will flow the wrong way.
12. All couplings should have either right hand or left hand thread, but do not mix the threads - otherwise, as the coupling is being screwed on one pipe, it is unscrewed from the other.
Matter of Fact
This is an electronic newsletter of the Game Rangers' Association of Africa. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Association, nor of the Editor. This is intended to be an exchange of news snips, ideas and communication between members. Newsletter content may be copied and re-distributed without authorisation. Correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at dyunnie@xsinet.co.za